I admit: It took me a while to give dresses for hiking a proper chance. But women’s activewear has come a long way, ladies. And the modern hiking dress is one of the most flattering, comfortable, and versatile pieces of clothing you can have in your outdoor gear lineup.
Especially for warm-weather hikes and casual adventures, a hiking dress is the perfect combination of trail performance and effortless flair. Plus, you won’t have to worry about near-maddening constriction of pants and shorts. Or about changing outfits when transitioning from trail to town!
So, if you’re ready to swap those traditional outdoor bottoms and tops for a dynamic adventure dress, I’ve got you covered. Read on for the best hiking dresses for all your outdoor escapades.
My Review Process
As someone who’s adventured near and far in search of memorable outdoor experiences, I have a pretty good sense of what makes hiking clothes stand the test of time. And let it be known, that the hiking dress of today isn’t some one-and-done trend. Some of the finest outdoor brands have added this super-versatile garment to their women’s collections, and it's easy to see why.
So what goes into making a solid hiking dress that will go the distance no matter what activity you’re powering through? Above all, I prioritize dresses made with quality performance fabrics that are lightweight, quick-drying, and allow unrestricted movement. I’ve highlighted other important features in the Buying Guide below, so be sure to have a look before committing to a purchase.
Why Are The Pros Of Hiking In A Dress?
Especially when you already have a tried-and-true collection of hiking shorts, shirts, and pants for hiking, a dress may not feel like the most obvious choice for many. But a hiking dress has far more perks than meets the eye.
For one, you don’t have to deal with the often-uncomfortable constriction of pants and shorts. The lack of a defined waistband also means fewer hot-spots, especially when lugging a pack with a waist belt.
Another game-changer: no sagging bottoms beginning to ride low on those multi-day hikes! A dress is one streamlined piece of hiking garb that takes the place of two separate ones. If you’re packing for an overnighter or longer backpacking trip, that means less space and weight in your pack.
What Are The Cons to Hiking Dresses?
As great as a hiking dress is, it’s not for every hiker or for every season.
Most of all, your average hiking dress is generally limited to warm and hot weather. Although you can certainly still rock one in cooler months, especially when paired with a long-sleeved shirt or hiking jacket, a hiking dress has its comfort limits in cold weather.
Another negative, at least for some, may be exposure in the nether regions; mainly if a dress doesn’t come with built-in shorts. While the perk of this is more airflow, it definitely could pose an issue for some gals that prefer full coverage down there. No built-in shorts also means that chafing could potentially arise. A good way to combat this is by applying anti-chafing balm.
On that same note, built-in shorts do pose a bit more complication when popping a squat on the trail. Pulling the entire dress off just to go to the bathroom can become frustrating to say the least, but with the right mindset, you can nail a system that works for you.
Read more on built-in shorts in our Buying Guide below!
Women’s Hiking Dress Buying Guide
A great hiking dress is more than just a cute activewear frock. The most reliable designs are equal parts flattering, comfortable and technical, and made to please the most active woman on whatever adventures she embarks on.
Here are the most important features to consider when purchasing a dress for hiking.
Material
As with all hiking clothes, material is everything. You want to ensure the fabric of your hiking dress is not only comfortable on the skin, but quick-drying, sweat-wicking and breathable. Generally, this means a synthetic, stretchy material, like polyester or nylon, but some dresses do feature a Merino wool blended with spandex or other synthetics.
Ease of movement is also critical when choosing a hiking dress. Going with a fabric that conforms to your body type and allows unrestricted movement when scrambling or pushing through a tough section of trail makes all the difference.
Style
Hiking dress styles range from loose and simple slip-on designs to more performance-oriented pieces. The latter usually feature built-in bras or built-in shorts, and fitted, stretchy silhouettes that provide utmost freedom of movement.
As you’ll see from our shortlist, the exact length, shoulder strap width, and back design will vary from piece to piece. Some dresses will have adjustable racerback straps and slightly flared skirts, while others may be more fitted with a body suit design. Which you pick is mainly a matter of personal preference.
Pockets
When it comes to attire for hiking, the same is true around the table: the more pockets the better! Granted, a hiking dress generally won’t feature quite as many pockets as, say, technical climbing pants. But the top hiking dresses will typically have at least one. Whether it’s a simple drop-in pocket or a secure zipper stash pocket will depend on the dress itself, of course, but definitely aim to have something there to carry your small essentials.
Built-In Shorts
Built-in shorts are a pretty big deciding factor in the hiking dress realm, which is why I’ve featured dresses with and without them in the roundup. Yes, shorts mean more protection against chafing, and more coverage when on technical (or busy) terrain. But built-in shorts also make going to the bathroom in your dress a bit more complicated (yes, you need to pull the whole thing off.)
Which design is best for you? If you want ease, I’d choose a style with no built-shorts. You can always pair your dress with bike shorts if needed, after all. If you prize an all-in-one dress that will have your back, though, built-in shorts are the way to go. It may take a few rounds to find the best bathroom system for you, but rest assured, one does exist. The tradeoff is well worth it!
Cost
Prices for hiking dresses range anywhere from $30-$40 for a budget-friendly piece to upwards of $100 for one from a top outdoor brand. Even though the higher-priced frocks may seem expensive for a seemingly limited, seasonal piece of outdoor clothing, the versatility of a hiking dress truly makes it a worthwhile investment.
Besides merely wearing a hiking dress for outdoor adventures, most styles —like all of the ones I’ve featured above— can easily be worn for everyday outings, travels, and even relaxed nights on the town. This adaptable nature makes a hiking dress quite the chameleon of your wardrobe!
Summary
Want a hiking dress that offers equal parts support, style and ease of movement? Our Best Overall pick, the Backcountry Destination Dress, offers a unique design that the most seasoned hikers will appreciate.
If something a bit more refined and versatile is your aim, Smartwool’s super-sleek Active Tank Dress will really impress with its thermoregulating merino-wool blend and crowd-pleasing silhouette. Patagonia’s Fleetwith Dress is a close runner-up in terms of a sporty-yet-polished hiking look.
For those needing ultimate support and coverage for high-output activities, I wouldn’t hesitate with The North Face EA Arque Hike Dress. It’s one of my all-time favorite hiking dresses, and the FlashDry fabric stands the test of time and trails.
